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angus_mckeogh's review
2.0
Wow. Repetitive. Long. Not great. Marginally interesting. Highly repetitive. Seems like a great concept until you realize Bundy essentially made the “appeal” to try this technique; but keep in mind he’s also a serial killer on death row. So he’s a liar with only his self-interest in mind. Did I say repetitive? Overall Bundy offers zero useful information on catching The Green River Killer, and he provides very little of insight into the mind of such a person. The author totters between admitting the information was useless and saying Bundy got a great deal right. Uh...it doesn’t work both ways. Bundy ultimately offers up a decent amount of information on one crime he committed that the police knew about anyway, and then throws out a useless plea at the end about “a girl at BYU in the 70s” before he’s executed. 90% of the book ends up being about Bundy.
Bundy’s breakdown of The Riverman (as he calls him) is focused on “watching body dump sites” and necrophilia. He speaks in broad generalizations (akin to a cold reading from a psychic) and repeats himself over and over again. He makes a statement then retracts it saying, “But I’m just guessing here”. The impression given is he’s just in an ego competition with Gary Ridgway. Basically “I’m a better serial killer than he is”. The book does dispel the myth of the highly intelligent serial killer because both Bundy and Ridgway during interviews come across as idiots. At the end Ridgway is “analyzed” although it’s really just a list of his suspected murders and subsequent confessions. He’s killed so many woman so long ago he can’t remember all the details. Shocker!
The author vacillates about the usefulness of the entire endeavor. Changes his mind and then flip flops again. He knocks the concept of profiling serial killers and then talks about how useful the FBI Behavioral Unit is in profiling serial killers and thereafter talks about how useless and potentially damaging to a case profiling serial killers can be. His chapters are repetitive; frequently he gives backstory then in a later chapter when the killer’s methodology is “revealed” nearly the whole previous chapter is reiterated word for word. And then when he “discusses the victims” you again get the story a third time. Did I mention it’s repetitive? Overall if you’re expecting enlightenment about the minds of Ridgway and Bundy you’ll be sorely disappointed. Not a great read by any means and far too long. And did I mention repetitive? And did I say repetitive? Or forget to mention it was repetitive? (Imagine you’re reading the book)
Bundy’s breakdown of The Riverman (as he calls him) is focused on “watching body dump sites” and necrophilia. He speaks in broad generalizations (akin to a cold reading from a psychic) and repeats himself over and over again. He makes a statement then retracts it saying, “But I’m just guessing here”. The impression given is he’s just in an ego competition with Gary Ridgway. Basically “I’m a better serial killer than he is”. The book does dispel the myth of the highly intelligent serial killer because both Bundy and Ridgway during interviews come across as idiots. At the end Ridgway is “analyzed” although it’s really just a list of his suspected murders and subsequent confessions. He’s killed so many woman so long ago he can’t remember all the details. Shocker!
The author vacillates about the usefulness of the entire endeavor. Changes his mind and then flip flops again. He knocks the concept of profiling serial killers and then talks about how useful the FBI Behavioral Unit is in profiling serial killers and thereafter talks about how useless and potentially damaging to a case profiling serial killers can be. His chapters are repetitive; frequently he gives backstory then in a later chapter when the killer’s methodology is “revealed” nearly the whole previous chapter is reiterated word for word. And then when he “discusses the victims” you again get the story a third time. Did I mention it’s repetitive? Overall if you’re expecting enlightenment about the minds of Ridgway and Bundy you’ll be sorely disappointed. Not a great read by any means and far too long. And did I mention repetitive? And did I say repetitive? Or forget to mention it was repetitive? (Imagine you’re reading the book)
riddlersboyfriend's review
3.0
As somebody who’s trying to write a convincing story about a serial killer, this book was invaluable. As someone with an interest in true crime and a fascination with the psychology of organized, controlled killers like Ted Bundy, this book was still great. The only reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5 is because it can go off track and get repetitive at times, and bounces between multiple cases and moments in time without much warning.
There’re a few parts at the end that I found really interesting, and those were the parts involving Bundy and FBI agent Bill Hagmaier. I know they spoke for a few years right up until Bundy’s execution, and I know they had to be fairly close, because Bundy (repeatedly) called Bill his best friend. I was intrigued by this, and even more so when I read this line in this book- “As Ted entered the interview area, he recognized FBI Agent Bill Hagmaier standing behind me. Their right hands met each other at the same place on both sides of the glass windows, oddly like lovers greeting each other in visitation areas. I was struck by the friendly gesture between the nation’s most notorious serial killer and the FBI agent who represented his pursuers.”
Mr. Keppel. What is this even supposed to mean. Why describe it like that.
Bill is mentioned a few other times throughout the end of the book, and each time, it makes me even more intrigued as to what the hell was going on with the two of them. It raises all kinds of questions about the psychology of someone like Bundy- was he truly capable of forming friendships? How did that affect Hagmaier? I’m not even focusing on the right part of the book, but this fascinates me. And Bill hasn’t written a book, so I’m probably not going to get those answers any time soon. Oh well. A guy can dream.
There’re a few parts at the end that I found really interesting, and those were the parts involving Bundy and FBI agent Bill Hagmaier. I know they spoke for a few years right up until Bundy’s execution, and I know they had to be fairly close, because Bundy (repeatedly) called Bill his best friend. I was intrigued by this, and even more so when I read this line in this book- “As Ted entered the interview area, he recognized FBI Agent Bill Hagmaier standing behind me. Their right hands met each other at the same place on both sides of the glass windows, oddly like lovers greeting each other in visitation areas. I was struck by the friendly gesture between the nation’s most notorious serial killer and the FBI agent who represented his pursuers.”
Mr. Keppel. What is this even supposed to mean. Why describe it like that.
Bill is mentioned a few other times throughout the end of the book, and each time, it makes me even more intrigued as to what the hell was going on with the two of them. It raises all kinds of questions about the psychology of someone like Bundy- was he truly capable of forming friendships? How did that affect Hagmaier? I’m not even focusing on the right part of the book, but this fascinates me. And Bill hasn’t written a book, so I’m probably not going to get those answers any time soon. Oh well. A guy can dream.
asteroidbuckle's review
3.0
To tell the truth, I never would have even picked up this book if the name "Ted Bundy" hadn't been in the subtitle. My morbid curiosity about Ted Bundy - his crimes and the motivations behind them - made me buy this one.
Bob Keppel, the detective who, as he says, "cut his teeth" on the Ted Bundy case, writes a very interesting book which, at times, gets bogged down in the details of a police investigation.
The premise of this book is this: there is a serial killer preying on young women in the Seattle area. Sound familiar?
That's what Keppel thought, too. And one day he gets a letter in the mail from a surprising penpal: Ted Bundy, writing from death row in Florida offering to provide some insight into the search for the killer he refers to as "The Riverman."
Keppel, along with the lead detective on the Green River Killer case, Dave Reichert, decides to go to Florida to interview Bundy, hoping not only to get the promised information, but also some insights into Bundy's own crimes - the ones he refused to confess to until he had no other choice.
The accounts of Keppel's and Reichert's interviews with Bundy are absolutely riveting - I couldn't put the book down despite the fact that I felt horrified, terrified, and more than a little creeped out at the same time.
Turns out, Bundy's predictions about "The Riverman" were startlingly accurate. Know why he knew so much about the killer who was later discovered to be the unassuming truck painter Gary Ridgway? Because he had been there - he understood the thoughts and feelings of a man who preyed on young women. Bundy could describe why Ridgway chose the dump sites he did, why he chose the victims he did, how he could go undetected for so long. BUNDY WAS THE EXPERT, FIRST-HAND.
The book focuses mostly on Bundy, actually. Two-thirds of the book involves the investigation into Bundy's crimes, the interviews with Bundy regarding the Green River Killer, and his last-minute confessions hours before his execution. The rest of the book is about the eventual arrest of Gary Ridgway in 2001, who had been murdering prostitutes without being caught since the 70s. Ridgway eventually confessed to murdering 48 women officially, though he claimed he killed over 60.
What struck me the most about this book is the sheer lack of emotion displayed by both Bundy and Ridgway as they confessed to the brutal murders of young women. Any emotion they showed was either contrived for the benefit of the interviewers or was anger at themselves for making the mistakes that eventually got them caught. Remorse for the victims? No way.
But I guess it takes a special kind of person to be a cold-blooded killer.
Fascinating read.
Bob Keppel, the detective who, as he says, "cut his teeth" on the Ted Bundy case, writes a very interesting book which, at times, gets bogged down in the details of a police investigation.
The premise of this book is this: there is a serial killer preying on young women in the Seattle area. Sound familiar?
That's what Keppel thought, too. And one day he gets a letter in the mail from a surprising penpal: Ted Bundy, writing from death row in Florida offering to provide some insight into the search for the killer he refers to as "The Riverman."
Keppel, along with the lead detective on the Green River Killer case, Dave Reichert, decides to go to Florida to interview Bundy, hoping not only to get the promised information, but also some insights into Bundy's own crimes - the ones he refused to confess to until he had no other choice.
The accounts of Keppel's and Reichert's interviews with Bundy are absolutely riveting - I couldn't put the book down despite the fact that I felt horrified, terrified, and more than a little creeped out at the same time.
Turns out, Bundy's predictions about "The Riverman" were startlingly accurate. Know why he knew so much about the killer who was later discovered to be the unassuming truck painter Gary Ridgway? Because he had been there - he understood the thoughts and feelings of a man who preyed on young women. Bundy could describe why Ridgway chose the dump sites he did, why he chose the victims he did, how he could go undetected for so long. BUNDY WAS THE EXPERT, FIRST-HAND.
The book focuses mostly on Bundy, actually. Two-thirds of the book involves the investigation into Bundy's crimes, the interviews with Bundy regarding the Green River Killer, and his last-minute confessions hours before his execution. The rest of the book is about the eventual arrest of Gary Ridgway in 2001, who had been murdering prostitutes without being caught since the 70s. Ridgway eventually confessed to murdering 48 women officially, though he claimed he killed over 60.
What struck me the most about this book is the sheer lack of emotion displayed by both Bundy and Ridgway as they confessed to the brutal murders of young women. Any emotion they showed was either contrived for the benefit of the interviewers or was anger at themselves for making the mistakes that eventually got them caught. Remorse for the victims? No way.
But I guess it takes a special kind of person to be a cold-blooded killer.
Fascinating read.
mimekdokee's review
3.0
An okay insight into the workings of two serial killers, but in the end it could’ve been shorter. It’s repetitive and boring at points.
smoochbelly's review
4.0
I don't have the discipline to be a serial killer and I certainly don't have the drive and obsession to catch one. Be glad people like Robert Keppel are applying their considerable talents to stop them.
Keppel combines memoir, procedural textbook, history and evolution of serial murder investigative techniques and interviews with Bundy and Ridgway with very little ego. He focuses on the facts and not how awesome he is. (I'm looking at you, John Douglas.)
Obsessive, detailed, dense. If you only read one book on the topic of serial killers, choose this the one.
Keppel combines memoir, procedural textbook, history and evolution of serial murder investigative techniques and interviews with Bundy and Ridgway with very little ego. He focuses on the facts and not how awesome he is. (I'm looking at you, John Douglas.)
Obsessive, detailed, dense. If you only read one book on the topic of serial killers, choose this the one.
t_ro05624's review
4.0
Not only was this a dive into the psychology and motivation of the Green River Killer, but we also get another look into the grisly career of Ted Bundy, written by the guy who caught him -- Robert Keppel.
A bit on the repetitive side, as Ted's favorite topic was Ted, Keppel relives his career on the hunt for one of the most infamous serial killers in the US and how he elicited shocking confessions from Bundy on Death Row in addition to consulting on cases like the Green River Killer, the Atlanta Child Killer and more notable cases.
One of the most poignant aspects was Ted thinking he was relevant, that he could help catch the Riverman. While there were suspects in mind already, Ted didn't need to know, Keppel was able to gain important insight into those who are like Ted -- cold, calculating killers who will do anything to keep killing and not get caught.
A bit on the repetitive side, as Ted's favorite topic was Ted, Keppel relives his career on the hunt for one of the most infamous serial killers in the US and how he elicited shocking confessions from Bundy on Death Row in addition to consulting on cases like the Green River Killer, the Atlanta Child Killer and more notable cases.
One of the most poignant aspects was Ted thinking he was relevant, that he could help catch the Riverman. While there were suspects in mind already, Ted didn't need to know, Keppel was able to gain important insight into those who are like Ted -- cold, calculating killers who will do anything to keep killing and not get caught.
jenneb_readingjournal's review
2.0
It was OK...seemed to be far more about stoking Bob Keppel's ego than about investigating the Green River murders or finding more information about Ted Bundy's killings.
bookdarling1987's review
5.0
its fair to mention that this book was recommended to me by a friend and I am grateful that is how much i enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy it because the subject matter was easy breezy, I enjoyed it because the way it was written i couldn't put it down.
Every now and again, a true crime book appears that delivers even more than it promises, and Robert Keppel's remarkable book belongs in that category.
Before I praise it too highly, I should state that despite the title, this book is most definitely not a retelling of Ted Bundy's career as a murderer. Keppel was a detective in King County, Washington in 1974 when Bundy first came to the attention of law enforcement. Accordingly, Keppel focuses on some of Bundy's earliest known murders: the Lake Sammamish victims and the young women who ended up at body dump sites near Issaquah and on Taylor Mountain. But Keppel gives very little attention to Bundy's crimes in other western states; Bundy's escape from jail in Colorado; or his final crime spree in Florida. So for those of us who know little or nothing about Bundy's monstrous murders, this book almost serves to confuse rather than enlighten. But this criticism is tempered by the wealth of information that Keppel does give us.
Every now and again, a true crime book appears that delivers even more than it promises, and Robert Keppel's remarkable book belongs in that category.
Before I praise it too highly, I should state that despite the title, this book is most definitely not a retelling of Ted Bundy's career as a murderer. Keppel was a detective in King County, Washington in 1974 when Bundy first came to the attention of law enforcement. Accordingly, Keppel focuses on some of Bundy's earliest known murders: the Lake Sammamish victims and the young women who ended up at body dump sites near Issaquah and on Taylor Mountain. But Keppel gives very little attention to Bundy's crimes in other western states; Bundy's escape from jail in Colorado; or his final crime spree in Florida. So for those of us who know little or nothing about Bundy's monstrous murders, this book almost serves to confuse rather than enlighten. But this criticism is tempered by the wealth of information that Keppel does give us.
bookaddicted's review
3.0
Definitely an interesting read. I would have given it amother star if it was written a little "smoother" . I found the jumping back and forth and the changes "due to new information" a little confusing at times. But, all in all, an interesting take on a very disturbing case.
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